WILTON -- Members of the environmental preservation group Wilton Go Green gathered at the Trackside Teen Center Wednesday to commemorate a year filled with conservation efforts and events.

Relaxing over cocktails and appetizers, residents met for the fourth annual meeting and emphasized that although Wilton is becoming a leader in environmental protection, there is still much work to be done.

"I think we had a good year," said former Wilton Go Green President Jana Bertkau.

Bertkau stepped down as president at the meeting after a three-year term to become vice president of the organization's board of directors.

Wilton Go Green member Karen Stanley was elected to president, Dana Gips to secretary and Jerry Goodwin to treasurer of the board.

Going forward, Stanley said her group needs the assistance of more residents to have a greater environmental impact on the community.

"We have to have the participation and help of a lot of citizens in Wilton," she said.

Incorporated in 2010, Wilton Go Green focuses on creating a variety of sustainable initiatives by partnering with the town and area nonprofits.

Its most popular event is the Wilton Go Green Festival, which funds most of the organization's other projects. Last May's festival brought in a profit of about $15,000, according to Goodwin.

The festival features live music, children's crafts, "green" shopping and exhibitors sharing the best ways to practice energy conservation.

Other events held this past year included visits from National Geographic photographers at the Wilton Library and workshops on home energy upgrades.

"It means a great deal to me what we're doing," said Stanley.

Wilton Go Green has also promoted homeowners participating in having Home Energy Solutions assessments to install renewable energy systems.

Last year, Wilton placed third in the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge, which honors municipalities for completing home energy assessments and upgrades.

According to Bertkau, approximately 15 percent of the town's residents have pursued energy saving measures.

"That's good, but we don't want to stop," she said.

She said her group ideally wants everyone in Wilton to know about the available energy saving programs.

Upcoming events hosted by Wilton Go Green include a discussion with conservation photographer Allison Nicholls on Jan. 23 at the Wilton Library, a film screening of "City Dark" on March 27 and a showing of "Chasing Ice" on April 30.

Stanley said in the next year, her organization will concentrate on pushing people toward decreasing energy use in households and recycling more.